And finally…satisfaction with life in Scotland’s financial capital at all time high

Satisfaction with Edinburgh as a city to live in is the highest it has ever been, the City of Edinburgh Council’s annual residents’ survey has shown.

According to the Edinburgh People Survey 2015, based on interviews with a cross-section of more than 5100 people across Edinburgh, 96 per cent of citizens are satisfied with life in the capital.

The research, which is in its ninth year, focuses on a number of key areas, including perceptions of local neighbourhoods, satisfaction with the local authority’s delivery of services like refuse collection, roads maintenance and schools and the ways in which the public make contact with the council.

Amongst the findings, it was shown that 84 per cent of participants feel safe in their neighbourhood after dark – up from 75 per cent in 2008 – while the majority of respondents agree that the Council cares about the environment, rising to 72 per cent from 58 per cent in 2010.

However, the survey also highlighted key areas for improvement, where satisfaction has decreased or remained low, including street cleansing, refuse collection and road and pavement maintenance.

Councillor Andrew Burns, Council Leader, said: “This year’s Edinburgh People Survey makes for encouraging reading, with positive figures demonstrating the impact of good work carried out by the Council.

“That said, there are still areas of concern, particularly in light of ongoing financial constraints and an increasing demand for services, and it is our intention to act on the feedback gleaned from the survey to improve the city for everyone.

“Thanks to the survey we are able to take account of public opinion each year when we set our budget, focusing on the key frontline services that matter the most to people, like health and social care and road maintenance.”